Use of 2-amino purine derivatives for the treatment and prophylaxis of human herpes virus 6 infections

ABSTRACT

The use of a compound of formula (A) or a bioprecursor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, phosphate ester and/or acyl derivative of either of the foregoing in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment (including prophylaxis) of HHV-6 infection. ##STR1##

This is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 08/505,341, now abandoned filed Oct. 31, 1995 which is a 371 of PCT/EP94/03697 filed on Nov. 8, 1994.

This invention relates to treatment of infection caused by human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and to the use of compounds in the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment of such conditions.

When used herein, `treatment` includes prophylaxis as appropriate.

EP-A-141927 (Beecham Group p.l.c.) discloses penciclovir, the compound of formula (A): ##STR2## and salts, phosphate esters and acyl derivatives thereof, as antiviral agents. The sodium salt hydrate of penciclovir is disclosed in EP-A-216459 (Beecham Group p.l.c.). Penciclovir and its antiviral activity is also disclosed in Abstract P.V11-5 p. 193 of `Abstracts of 14th Int. Congress of Microbiology`, Manchester, England Sep. 7-13, 1986 (Boyd et. al.).

Orally active bioprecursors of the compound of formula (A) are of formula (B): ##STR3## and salts and derivatives thereof as defined under formula (A); wherein X is C₁₋₆ alkoxy, NH₂ or hydrogen. The compounds of formula (B) wherein X is C₁₋₆ alkoxy or NH₂ are disclosed in EP-A-141927 and the compounds of formula (B) wherein X is hydrogen disclosed in EP-A-182024 (Beecham Group p.l.c.) are preferred prodrugs. A particularly preferred example of a compound of formula (B) is that wherein X is hydrogen and wherein the two OH groups are in the form of the acetyl derivative, described in Example 2 of EP-A-182024, hereinafter referred to as famciclovir.

The compounds of formulae (A) and (B) and salts and derivatives thereof have been described as potentially effective in the treatment of infections caused by herpesviruses, such as herpes simplex type 1, herpes simplex type 2, varicella-zoster, Epstein-Barr viruses, and cytomegalovirus.

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) was originally isolated from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and subsequently from patients with a variety of lymphoproliferative disorders as well as from normal individuals. Recent studies have demonstrated that HHV-6 is the etiological agent of exanthema subitem, a benign self-limiting disease of children characterized by a skin rash and high fever. While serological studies have associated HHV-6 with several disorders, the importance of these associations are unknown since seroepidemiological studies have demonstrated that HHV-6 infections are widespread in the human population and seroconversion occurs early in life. While virtually nothing is known regarding the latent state of HHV-6, the virus has been identified in lymph nodes and in peripheral blood monocytes from transplant patients. It has also been suggested that HHV-6 may play a role in the activation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). Because of its possible association with a variety of lymphoproliferative disorders, it is important to identify agents that may be useful in treating infections caused by HHV-6.

It has now been discovered that the above compounds have potential activity against HHV-6, incuding both the strains isolated which are designated 6a and 6b.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of treatment of HHV-6 infection in humans, which method comprises the administration to the human in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a compound of formula (A): ##STR4## or a bioprecursor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, phosphate ester and/or acyl derivative of either of the foregoing.

The term `acyl derivative` is used herein to include any derivative of the compounds of formula (A) in which one or more acyl groups are present. Such derivatives are included as bioprecursors of the compounds of formula (A) in addition to those derivatives which are per se biologically active.

The compound of formula (A) may be in one of the forms disclosed in EP-A-216459 (Beecham Group p.l.c.).

Examples of bioprecursors, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and derivatives are as described in the aforementioned European Patent references, the subject matter of which are incorporated herein by reference.

A particular compound of formula (B) of interest is 9-(4-acetoxy-3-acetoxymethylbut-1-yl)-2-aminopurine, known as famciclovir (FCV), the well-absorbed oral form of penciclovir (PCV).

The compound of formula (A), bioprecursors, salts and derivatives may be prepared as described in the aforementioned European Patent references.

The compound, in particular, famciclovir, may be administered by the oral route to humans and may be compounded in the form of syrup, tablets or capsule. When in the form of a tablet, any pharmaceutical carrier suitable for formulating such solid compositions may be used, for example magnesium stearate, starch, lactose, glucose, rice, flour and chalk. The compound may also be in the form of an ingestible capsule, for example of gelatin, to contain the compound, or in the form of a syrup, a solution or a suspension. Suitable liquid pharmaceutical carriers include ethyl alcohol, glycerine, saline and water to which flavouring or colouring agents may be added to form syrups.

For parenteral administration, fluid unit dose forms are prepared containing the compound and a sterile vehicle. The compound depending on the vehicle and the concentration, can be either suspended or dissolved. Parenteral solutions are normally prepared by dissolving the compound in a vehicle and filter sterilising before filling into a suitable vial or ampoule and sealing. Advantageously, adjuvants such as a local anaesthetic, preservatives and buffering agents are also dissolved in the vehicle. To enhance the stability, the composition can be frozen after filling into the vial and the water removed under vacuum.

Parenteral suspensions are prepared in substantially the same manner except that the compound is suspended in the vehicle instead of being dissolved and sterilised by exposure to ethylene oxide before suspending in the sterile vehicle. Advantageously, a surfactant or wetting agent is included in the composition to facilitate uniform distribution of the compound of the invention.

Preferred parenteral formulations include aqueous formulations using sterile water or normal saline, at a pH of around 7.4 or greater, in particular, containing penciclovir sodium salt hydrate.

As is common practice, the compositions will usually be accompanied by written or printed directions for use in the medical treatment concerned.

An amount effective to treat the virus infection depends on the nature and severity of the infection and the weight of the mammal.

A suitable dosage unit might contain from 50 mg to 1 g of active ingredient, for example 100 to 500 mg. Such doses may be administered 1 to 4 times a day or more usually 2 or 3 times a day. The effective dose of compound will, in general, be in the range of from 0.2 to 40 mg per kilogram of body weight per day or, more usually, 10 to 20 mg/kg per day. In the case of famciclovir, the dosage unit would be 250 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg, preferably 250 mg or 500 mg.

The present invention also provides the use of a compound of formula (A) or a bioprecursor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, phosphate ester and/or acyl derivative of either of the foregoing, in the preparation of a medicament for use in the treatment of HHV-6 infection. Such treatment may be carried out in the manner as hereinbefore described.

The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of HHV-6 infection, which comprises an effective amount of a compound of formula (A) or a bioprecursor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, phosphate ester and/or acyl derivative of either of the foregoing, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such compositions may be prepared in the manner as hereinafter described.

The compound of formula (A) and its prodrugs show a synergistic antiviral effect in conjunction with interferons; and treatment using combination products comprising these two components for sequential or concomitant administration, by the same or different routes, are therefore within the ambit of the present invention. Such products are described in. EP-A-271270 (Beecham Group p.l.c.).

An assay method involving the inhibition of a cytopathic effect in human cord blood cells is conducted at a dose range of 0.01 μM-100 μM. The general procedure is as described in Chapter 23 of `Human Herpesvirus; Epidemiology, Molecular Biology and Clinical Pathology`--Conference Proceedings, Ablashi D. V. (Ed).

Evaluation of PCV against HHV-6 in Human Cord Blood Cells^(a)

Human mononuclear cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood and inoculated in triplicate with the test virus. One hour later, duplicate dilutions of the compound were added, resulting in 0, 5, 10, 50, or 100 μM final concentrations. After 3-6 days, cells were removed and tested for the presence of virus by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) using type specific monoclonal antibodies. Three fields of 100 cells each were read from each sample.

    ______________________________________                                                     HHV-6 strain 7.29                                                             Conc   % Inf       % Inf % Inhib                                      Compound   μM     Day 4    Day 6    Day 6                                 ______________________________________                                         Uninfected        0           5                                                  Infected             22       40                                               PCV          5       19       42         -5                                                 10      20       43         -7                                                 50               35         12                                                 100              38         29                                  ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the treatment of HHV-6 infection in mammals, including humans, which method comprises administering to the mammal in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a compound of Formula (A): ##STR5## or a bioprecursor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, phosphate ester and/or acyl derivative of either of the foregoing.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment is for HHV-6 infection from strain 6a of the virus.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the treatment is for HHV-6 infection from strain 6b of the virus.
 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the Compound is famciclovir.
 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein famciclovir is administered at a dose of 250 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg, two or three times a day.
 6. A method according to claim 1 wherin the Compound is Penciclovir. 